General Comments:

We've driven this car now for 196,000 miles. It's 25 years old and perhaps one of the most RELIABLE and inexpensive cost of ownership vehicles we've ever owned! By the way, we've owned Lexus, Nissan, Toyota and Mazda vehicles over the past 20+ years. While most cars were great, this Honda beats them all. This is perhaps attributed to their solid manufacturing quality and routine maintenance.

Since ownership of this vehicle (20 years), we've spent approximately $4,200 over the life. On an annual basis, that’s about $210. This is absolutely amazing!

It’s still an awesome, extremely reliable, and well-maintained vehicle. We consistently receive accolades for its condition. We plan on keeping it for another year and hope to sell it for top $.

- Replaced water pump (twice, at 193,049 and 202,132, kept getting blocked and broken for rust).

- Replaced exit pipe (at 207,580).

- Replaced water intake (at 207,580).

- Fix radiator (at 192,469 and 194,000).

- All engine supports (at 202,827).

- All engine seals and gasket (at 202,827).

- Crankshaft plain bearing (two of these were already in the oil crank, I couldn't believe my good luck).

- Replaced hydraulic pump (at 197,941).

- Fixed front axle (at 202,827).

- A/C evaporator broken (since the beginning, not fixed yet).

- Radio not working (speakers are working).

- Sun roof not working.

General Comments:

This car belong to my mother-in-law. After long talks, she decide to fix the car and restart driving it again, commissioning me to fix it and do the maintenance.

It spent 9 years in her garage without using it. Not even for periodical turn on and warming up. The engine turned on at the first try, not without replacing all the fuel lines, tank and pump; and draining and changing all filters and liquids.

The biggest problem was the cooling system, which kept blocking from all the rust, as well as the transmission. Besides that, all in perfect condition (well, for the time), with rust starting to appear on the roof.

It has cost money to bring back to life, but keeps working in great shape. Still get 19.1 miles/gallon combined, and doesn't smoke, and is as fast and comfortable as many brand new cars.

9th Oct 2010, 23:14

1987 Honda Accord LX-i.

Very reliable. This car was babied for years before I replaced the timing belt before mileage maintenance recommendation. For years after that, it ran and drove fine.

After driving 10,000 miles before the next timing belt scheduled replacement, the timing belt gave out, killing the motor. The car was towed in for repairs. The motor in this car is an "interference motor", and sure enough, it suffered a couple bent valves, requiring engine tear down for replacement of the valves. Repairs call for routine replacement of timing belt, water pump, tensioner, belts and coolant. Once that was done, the car ran beautifully again for a few more years - until it was totaled by another car while stopped at a stoplight.